Fleure continued spinning for a few more moments before finally descending, landing her High Flyer flawlessly while moving her hands with elegant precision.
For a moment, the entire arena remained frozen in awe.
Then the crowd exploded.
Cheers, screams, and applause thundered through the stadium as people rose to their feet.
Meanwhile, Michael remained seated, staring at the rink with a perplexed expression.
"I'm sure of it... she was flying."
"Damn it!! She's won it!"
His mother slammed her hands against her seat in frustration.
"She sure has. Nothing Delilah did is beating that."
Michael smiled as he watched Fleure wave to the crowd.
"Maybe ice skating isn't so boring after all."
"Oh my God! An incredible feat from the German Eagle!! We're witnessing history right now!"
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena.
Fleure casually skated toward one of the cameras and pointed at herself.
"That's what I'm fucking talking about."
The crowd erupted once again.
"Everyone, take your seats as the panel decides the winner of this star-studded finals!"
The announcer's voice rang out.
Slowly, the audience returned to their seats.
"I think we already have the winner."
"She clearly took it."
Various voices echoed throughout the arena.
"I've lost."
Delilah lowered her head.
The frustration in her eyes was obvious.
The scene shifted toward the judges' panel, where one of the judges stood up and walked toward the announcer with the final results.
"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, the results are in! The winner of the 35th National Ice Skating Tournament is—"
"Oh God, even if it's impossible, let it be Delilah."
Michael's mother pressed her hands together in prayer.
Michael stared at her awkwardly.
"Fleure Van Skywalker!!"
The announcer's voice exploded through the speakers.
The arena erupted.
"SKYWALKER!!"
"SKYWALKER!!"
"SKYWALKER!!"
The chants shook the stadium.
Fleure skated back onto the rink and bowed before the crowd as cameras flashed from every direction.
She then signaled to the referee that she wanted a microphone.
The referee quickly handed her one.
"Test, test. Can all of you hear me?"
Her voice echoed throughout the arena.
"YEAH!!"
The entire stadium shouted back.
"She's still showing off."
Delilah clenched her fists tightly.
Fleure smiled.
"Thank you all for watching me win all these years."
The crowd cheered.
"But sadly, all good things have to come to an end."
The cheers slowly died down.
"This is going to be my last ice skating match."
The arena fell silent.
"Thank you."
She dropped the microphone.
Clank.
For a few seconds, nobody reacted.
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
The entire arena simply stared at her.
"Huh?"
Delilah blinked.
The silence lasted only a moment.
"WHAT!!!"
The entire stadium erupted in confusion.
People jumped out of their seats.
Others began shouting questions.
Some thought they had misheard her.
"What did we just hear?! Fleure Van Skywalker is retiring!!"
Even the announcer sounded completely stunned.
"What the fuck is she doing!!"
Delilah shouted, her voice filled with anger as she stared at Fleure from across the rink.